Question

‘Anagnorisis’, as used by Aristotle in his theory of Tragedy, stands for ________.

• A. the hero’s recognition of his tragic flaw
• B. the hero’s ignorance about his tragic flaw
• C. the hero’s recognition of his adversary
• D. the hero’s rejection of his tragic end

Hint:

In tragic literature, the moment of anagnorisis is crucial for the hero’s recognition of their flaw, which often brings about their demise or suffering.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding Anagnorisis.
In Aristotle’s Poetics, Anagnorisis refers to the moment in a tragedy when the hero recognizes his tragic flaw (hamartia) or comes to an important realization about his situation. This moment of self-awareness often leads to the tragic hero's downfall, as they recognize their mistake too late to avoid the consequences.
Step 2: Explanation of the Options.
- (A) "The hero’s recognition of his tragic flaw." This is the correct answer. Anagnorisis involves the hero’s realization of their inherent flaw or error, which is central to their tragic downfall.
- (B) "The hero’s ignorance about his tragic flaw." This describes hamartia, not anagnorisis. The tragic flaw is initially unknown to the hero but is later recognized during anagnorisis.
- (C) "The hero’s recognition of his adversary." This refers more to peripeteia, the reversal of fortune, rather than anagnorisis.
- (D) "The hero’s rejection of his tragic end." This is not correct, as anagnorisis refers to recognition, not rejection, of the flaw that leads to the tragic end.
Step 3: Conclusion.
The correct answer is (A), as anagnorisis specifically refers to the hero’s realization of their tragic flaw, which leads to their eventual downfall in a tragedy.